Shaft sinking and lashing equipment therefor



Dec. l1, 1962 c. F. B. VAN wYK ETAL. 3,067,895

SHAFT sINKING AND LAsHING EQUIPMENT THEREFOR Filed June 2s, 1961 ssheets-sheet 1 D 11, 1962 c. F. B. VAN wYK ETAL 3,057,895 SHAFT SINKINGAND LASHING EQUIPMENT THEREFOR Filed June 23. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Invent-0K5 Dec. 11, 1962 c. F. B. VAN wYK ETAL 3,067,395

SHAFT smxmc AND LASHING EQUIPMENT THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June25,v 1961 Ewen/Tolls www# l@ United States Patent Oilice 3,667,895Patented Dec. 1l, 1962 3,067,895 SHAFT SINKING AND LASHING EQUIPMENTTHEREFGR Christiaan F. B. van Wyk and Edward G. Fairon, Savoy Estates,Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa, assignors to Anglo-TransvaalConsolidated Investment Company Limited, Johannesburg, Republic of SouthAfrica Filed .lune 23, 1961, Ser. No. 119,068 Claims priority,application Republic of South Africa June 30, 1960 12 Claims. (Cl.21d-65%) This invention relates to equipment for the removal of spoilfrom a mine shaft during sinking operations.

Broken rock in shaft sinking is frequently removed by manually`shovelling it into kibbles which are raised to carry the rock to thesurface. This is known as lashing and this term will be used in thedescription of the invention. ln the past it has been laborious andoften dangerous work owing to the coniined space and the nature of thematerial handled.

It is the object of this invention to provide apparatus by the use ofwhich lashing of spoil such as broken rock from the bottom of a mineshaft will be facilitated and the time taken for such operationconsiderably reduced.

According to this invention there is provided shaft sinking lashing gearcomprising a column adapted to be supported Vfrom the two lowest decksof a shaft sinking staging by two collars, a boom secured to andextending outwardly from the `column below the lower collar for l.

supporting a grab mechanism 'and means for rotating the column withinthe collars.

Further features of this invention provide for the upper collar toinclude an angular contact bearing and for the lower collar to include aroller bearing.

rl`he invention also provides for the means for rotating the column tobe a pinion engaging an internal ring gear made integral with theangular contact bearing, the pinion being driven by an air motor.

Still further features of this invention provide for the grab mechanismto be supported from a ycarriage adapted to traverse the length of theboom and for the operators cabin to be positioned in the base of thecolumn below the boom.

A preferred form of this invention will be described with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which:

FGS. l and 2 are elevational views of the lashing gear,

HG. 3 a section on the line A-A in FIG. 1 showing the lower coliar on alarger scale,

FIG. 4 a section on the line B--B in FIG. l on a larger scale, with thetop cover removed from the boom.

FIG. 5 a diagram of the grab cable arrangement,

FIG. 6 a detail of the upper collar and boom rotation gear, and l FIG. 7is a detail of one roller in the lower collar.

As shown the lashing gear consists essentially of a central hollowcolumn 1 to which are secured an upper and a lower collar 2, 3respectively. These collars 2, 3 are adapted to support the column fromthe two lowest decks ri, 5 of a shaft sinking staging which is itselfadapted to be lowered down the shaft as sinking operations progress.

A boom e extends outwardly from and is secured to the column 1 below thelower collar 3 and the bottom deck 5 of the staging. This boom supportsa traversing carriage 7 from which is suspended a mechanical grab 8which is preferably pneumatically operated.

The boom 6 is adapted to be rotated by rotation of column 1 within thecollars Z, 3 and the grab 8 is raised and lowered by means of apneumatic piston and cylinder assembly 9 housed within the column 1 andthrough a particular arrangement of a `cable itl.

An operators cab 11 is formed in the base of the column 1 from where thevarious operations of the lashing gear may be controlled.

The upper collar 2 consists of a mounting 12 secured to the deck 4 ofthe staging and incorporates an angular contactbearing 13 capable ofcarrying the load of the lashing gear both axially and radially (seeFIG. 6). The inner race 1d of the bearing 13 is made integral with afixed internal ring gear 15. The gear 15 is engaged by a pinion 16`driven through an al1 steel gearbox 17 by an air motor 18. The motor18, gearbox 117 and pinion 16 are supported on the central column.

lt will be noted that the contacing surfaces of the races of the bearing13 are made as inserts 19, Ztl in segmented form. This lfacilitatesrepair to the bearing 13 as and when necessary.

The lower collar 3 locates the column 1 through the bottom deck 5 of thestaging in the large roller bearing 21 (see FIG. 3) which is designed tocarry lateral loading. A circular track 22 is lixe'd to the column 1 andeach roller 23 (see FIG. 7) consists of the outer runner 24 supported onthe pair of anti-friction and preferably roller bearings 25 which aremounted on eccentric spindle 26. rl'his enables each roller 23 to bemoved out of contact With the track 22 and be replaced or repairedindividnally Without hindering the normal function of the bearing 21.

The `boom 6 extends horizontally from the column 1 just below the bottom`deck 5 of the staging. A pair of rails 27 are provided along the lengthof the boom 6 and along which a carriage 7 having four wheels 28 runningon the rails 27 is adapted to travel. As shown in FIG. 4 the carriage 7is made to traverse the length of the boom o by means of the piston andcylinder assembly 29 which is preferably pneumatically operated. Thecylinder 39 of assembly 29 is fixed to the carriage 7 while the pistonrod 3-1 is anchored at each end to the boom `6. The assembly 29 isdouble acting so that air may be introduced on either side of the pistonin the cylinder 3) to move the cylinder 3d and with it the carriage 'lalong the boom in the desired direction.

The carriage 7 carries a pair of pulleys 32, 33 which support theoperating cable 10 used to raise and lower the grab 8 which is aspreviously mentioned preferably pneumatically operated.

At the bottom of the column 1 is the operators cab 11 and this cabhouses the controls for the lashing gear and a retractable seat 34 forthe operator. The cab is fitted with closure doors 35 and the base ofthe column 1 is closed olf and shaped to a :point as shown at 36 inFIGS. 1 and 2.

The operation of the grab 8 for loading and unloading is controlled bythe operator Who can manipulate the control valve for the pneumatic grabS directly through the lever 37 in the cab 11. The exible air pipe 38for the grab is positioned to the side of the cab 11 so that it will notobstruct the drivers View.

`Inside the column 1 there is positioned a main hoisting pneumaticpiston and cylinder assembly 9 as shown in FIGS. l and 2. The cylinder39 is secured to the column 1 and has a sheave wheel di? mounted insuitable brackets 41 below the base thereof to depend downwardly. Afurther `sheave wheel 42 is mounted in acrosshead f:3 secured to the topof the outwardly extending piston rod $4 of the assembly 9.

On the outside of the column 1 there is mounted a winch 45 adapted to bedriven by a reversible air motor 46 through a suitable chain drive 47.The drive for the winch has associated therewith a pneumaticallyreleasable brake 48.

Directly below the winch 45 is secured a deecting pulley 49. Adjacentthe deecting pulley 49 is a cable storage reel 5t) fitted with amanually operated band brake 51. The pulley 49 and reel 50 are alsosecured to the outside of the column 1. A cable clamp S2 is arranged ina readily accessible position below the reel 50.

Two further pulleys 53, 54 are mounted in the upper part of the boom 6.

The cable for lifting and lowering the grab 8 passes from the storagereel 50, where a reserve of cable 10 is maintained, through the clamp52, so that this point of the cable is 'held fast, and into thecolumn 1. The cable 10 then extends under pulley 53 over pulley S4 overpulley 33 on the carriage 7 and yaround the pulley 55 in the crosshead56 forthe grab 8. From there the cable 16 is earried back over thepulley 32 and a further pulley 47, mounted in the boom 6 at the endadjacent the column 1, down under the sheave wheel up and over thesheave wheel 42 under the deflecting pulley 49 and is secured to thedrum of the winch 45.

FIG. 5 clearly illustrates the cable arrangement above described.

Air for the various pneumatically operated parts of the lashing gear iscarried down pipes positioned as far as possible inside the centralcolumn 1 from a central supply pipe 58 which will he provided with thenecessary air-line lubricator 59 land an air filter.

The supply of air through the main control valves (not shown) for theair motors 18 and 45, the hoisting piston and cylinder assembly 9 andthe carriage traversing piston and cylinder assembly 29 is controlled bypilot valves. The pilot valves are directly manipulated by the lashinggear operator through hand levers 60, 61 and 62 and the pedal 63. Thislatter is preferably used for the control of motor 18.

While the lashing gear is not in use, that is, during blastingoperations, the operators seat 34 is retracted and the doors 35 closed,over the opening of the cab 11. The grab 8 may be drawn up under theboom 6. The pointed bottom to the column 1 will deflect any rock thrownagainst it during blasting and the doors 35 protect the controls fromdamage.

When used for lashing the grab 8 is first lowered to the shaft bottom byreleasing cable from the drum of winch 45. This is effected by releasingthe brake 48 and allowing the drum to unwind.

The brake 48 is then secured and hoisting of the spoil, collected byoperation of the grab 8, is effected by introduction of air under thepiston in the cylinder 39 of the assembly 9. 44 from the cylinder 39 inthe secured loop of cable 10 extending from clamp 52 through to winch 45will cause the grab to be raised an equivalent amount from the shaftbottom. The stroke of the piston and cylinder assembly is designed toenable the grab to be discharged y into kibbles which are used to hoistthe :spoil to the surface. Rotation of the shaft through operation ofthe air motor 18 and the traversing of the carriage 7 along the boom 6enables the grab to operate effectively over substantially the whole ofthe shaft bottom. Also the positioning of the cab 11 below the deck 5and boom 6 gives the operator an unobstructed view of the working of thegrab.

It will be appreciated that worn or damaged cable 1t) may readily bereplaced by new cable from the reel Si) by release of the clamp 52 andoperation of the winch 45 to wind the old cable onto the winch drum fromwhere it may be removed without interfering with the cperation of thelashing gear once the clamp 52 and winch 45 have been secured.

Further the winch 45 may be used as standby hoisting gear in the eventof failure of the piston and cylinder assembly 9 through operation ofthe reversible air motor 46.

In the design of the lashing gear as `many of the parts,

lt will be seen that extension of the rod 5 such as pulleys, shafts,necessary plummer blocks, bearings and the like are standardized andmade interchangeable to facilitate both repairs and the stocking ofspare parts. 'w

What I claim as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is: t t n 1.Shaft sinking lashing gear comprisingfa column, two collars on saidcolumn spaced apart one above the other,

means for securing the collars to decks of a shaft sinking staging, aboom secured to and extending outwardly from the column below the lowercollar, means for supporting a grab mechanism from the boom and meansfor rotating the column within the collars.

2. Shaft sinking lashing gear comprising a column, two collars on saidcolumn spaced apart one above the other, means for securing the collarsto decks of a shaft sinking staging, an angular contact bearingincorporated in the upper collar, a roller bearing incorporated in thelower collar, a hoorn secured to and extending outwardly from the columnbelow the lower collar, means for supporting a grab mechanism from theboom and means for rotating the column within the collar.

3. Shaft sinking lashing gear as defined in claim 2 includingreplaceable inserts forming contacting surfaces of the angular contactbearing.

4. Shaft sinking lashing gear `as defined in claim 2 wherein the rollerbearing rollers are independently removable from said bearing.

5. Shaft sinking lashing gear as defined in claim 2 in which the rollerbearing rollers comprise a spindle, a pair of `anti-friction bearings onsaid spindle, an outer runner 0n said anti-friction bearings, thespindles for the rollers being eccentrically mounted in said rollerbearing.

6. Shaft sinking lashing gear comprising a column, two collars on saidcolumn spaced apart one above the other, means for securing said cellarsto decks of a shaft sinking staging, an angular contact bearingincorporated in the upper collar, an internal ring Gear, an inner raceof said bearing made integral with said ring gear, a pinion meshing withsaid ring gear, a shaft for said pinion supported by said column, an airmotor connected to drive said pinion to rotate the column within thecollars, a boom secured to and extending outwardly from the column belowthe lower collar, a carriage in said boom adapted to traverse the lengthof said boom and means associated with the carriage for supporting agrab mechanism.

7. Shaft sinking lashing gear `as defined in claim 6 including a piston`and cylinder assembly in said boom, a piston rod for said assemblyextending from each end of said cylinder, one end of `said piston rodsecured to one end of the boom and the other end of said piston rodsecured to the other end of said boom, a rigid connec tion between saidcarriage and the cylinder of the piston and cylinder assembly, wheels onsaid carriage and rails in said boom for supporting said carriage onsaid wheels.

8. Shaft sinking lashing gear as defined in claim 6 wherein the meansfor supporting said grab mechanism comprises a cable arrangementassociated with a hoisting device for said grab mechanism.

9. Shaft sinking lashing gear comprising a column, two collars on saidcolumn spaced apart one above the other, means for securing said collarsto decks of a shaft sinking staging, an angular contact bearingincorporated in the upper collar, an internal ring gear, an inner raceof said bearing integral with said ring gear, a pinion meshing with thelatter, a shaft for said pinion supported by said column, an air motorconnected to drive said pinion to rotate the column within the collars,a boem secured to and extending outwardly from the column below thelower collar, a carriage in said boom mounted to traverse the length ofsaid boom, means associated with said carriage for supporting a grabmechanism, a piston and cylinder assembly housed within said column, apiston rod for said assembly with one end extending from said cylinder,

a sheave wheel mounted adjacent the bottom of said cylinder, a secondsheave Wheel mounted on the extending end of :said piston rod, a pulleyfor a grab mechanism and a secured loop yof cable passing over saidsheave Wheels and over said means yfor supporting a grab mechanism andaround said pulley.

10. Shaft sinking lashing gear comprising a column, two collars on saidcolumn spaced apart one above the other, means for securing said-collars to decks of a shaft sinking staging, an angular contact bearingincorporated in the upper collar, an internal ring gear, an inner raceof said bearing integral with said ring gear, a pinion meshing with thelatter, a shaft Ifor said pinion supported by said column, an air motorconnected to drive said pinion to rotate the column within lthe collars,a boom secured to and extending outwardly from the column below thelower collar, a carriage in said boom mounted to traverse the length ofsaid boom, a piston and cylinder assem-bly housed Within said column, `apiston rod for said assembly with one end extending from said cylinder,a sheave wheel mounted adjacent the bottom of said cylinder, a secondsheave Wheel mounted on the extending end of said piston rod, -a pulleypositioned in each end of the upper portion of said boom, a pair ofpulleys mounted in said carriage, a further pulley in the lower part ofsaid boom adjacent the column, a pulley `for a grab mechanism, a

loop of cable, secured ends of said loop, said cable guided along saidpulleys in the upper portion of sa-id boom, over one of the pair ofpulleys in said carriage, around the pulley for the grab mechanism, overthe other pulley in said carriage, over the pulley in the lower part ofsaid carriage and over said sheave wheels.

11. Shaft `sinking lashing gear as dened in claim 10 wherein the gearincludes a winch, a drum for said winch, a motor for said Winch, astorage reel for cable and wherein one secured end of said secured loopis attached to said drum, a reserve of cable on said storage reel andthe other secured end of said cable extended to form said reserve ofcable on the storage reel.

12. Shaft sinking lashing gear as defined in claim 1 including anopcrators cab positioned in the bottom of said column below said boom.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 461,874Potter etal Oct. 27, 1891 517,008 Matton Mar. 20, 1894 FOREIGN PATENTS63,116 France Mar. 16, 1955 (Addition to No. 1,005,535)

